"This Damnable Thing"
At a glance, it wasn't a non-human. Which meant there was no way a human who hadn't come with me could be here.
Setas had quietly sidled up beside me before I knew it. And there, approaching from afar, was Howard—who'd been reveling at the festival, pounding drinks with the dwarves.
"That's not a god's avatar," Setas whispered from my side.
Not a god? Looking closer, it did seem different from Juno or Kutula. Of course, even they looked distinct upon scrutiny. I'd chalked it up to the difference between the main god and outer gods. Bastet used some special illusion, appearing ethereal, so I'd assumed all gods varied wildly. But apparently, there was a way to tell them apart. I'd have to learn from Setas later—assuming that chance ever came.
"Then what is it?"
"A demigod. An avatar of one, actually."
A demigod—like Drakan before his lifespan ran out? And if it was an avatar, it'd be weaker. Howard and I could probably take it. Though I couldn't be sure, since I'd never seen Drakan at full power back then. Thinking of the Dragon Breath artifact's might, it'd be tough to win—but the opponent wasn't a dragon. Humanoid form. No breath attack coming.
"Think we can take it?"
"Maybe. Before the Phase Dimension closed, sure. But it came out after? Hard to say." Setas looked uncertain.
The real problem? Our foe had overheard every word, and his expression soured further.
"You thieves who stole my assets dare conspire in filth."
The demigod finally spoke—for the first time. Unlike most gods, he used his physical voice.
"We sincerely regret that. Do you intend to take them back?"
Best not to fight if we could avoid it. Even if we won, no one would compensate the damage. If he wanted some price, paying it wasn't a bad deal.
"I have no such plans."
"Reopening a Phase Dimension takes massive energy," Setas chimed in from beside me. The demigod's face darkened even more.
Either way, he wasn't here to reclaim the non-humans.
"Is there some other compensation you'd like?"
"Hmph. Very well. Offer three thousand virgins and three thousand able-bodied men each year. Then I'll forgive you."
Negotiations broke down clean from the start. No surprise—he wasn't sane.
"That's impossible."
"Then what will you do?"
Killing men out of curiosity, huh? Regret kept gnawing at me for ever opening that Phase Dimension.
"I hear you fancy riches. How about treasure or artifacts?"
"I need none of that."
"And if we offer nothing?"
"Ripping out your karma would be a fine trade."
I had no idea what our "karma" was, but he'd eyed it from the beginning. Only one answer left.
"Howard, get ready."
"Got it."
Howard, now behind me, started stripping. Did he have to in this crisis? I'd give him new clothes if they tore—just don't strip, damn it.
"Eek!"
Was it the sudden nudity or his first time seeing the transformation? Setas recoiled beside me. The festival had halted earlier; non-humans were evacuating. Eltis, too, exuded murderous intent, fangs bared. He usually seemed sly and dim-witted, but true colors shown, he was every inch vampire royalty.
"Insolent fools! You think you can match me?"
The old man sneered, raising his staff high. Terrifying energy gathered in it instantly. A demigod's avatar was far stronger than expected. I could tell without fighting.
Transformation complete, Howard shadow-stepped in front of the old man, slashing with claws gleaming five strands of aura.
Boom!
The earth shook with the impact. Few in this world could block that strike. But this guy was one.
Even with dust limiting vision from the explosion, blasts kept echoing inside. Eltis, mist-formed, materialized to stab the old man's back. I unleashed my strongest single-target spell via a clone's sight. I'd tried plague authority from the start, but as expected of a demigod, it failed. Half my power was already neutered.
The old man hadn't budged, tanking it all with a barrier. Still smirking.
One barrier blocking our full assault. Our attacks poured ceaselessly, but the shield didn't flinch.
"Is this all you've got?"
The old man dropped his smirk, casually swinging his massive staff. A mere air swipe hurled Howard back with brutal force. Next, Eltis lost mist form and flew off. My turn? I drew my sword and charged. Sure, surrounded by monsters, but I was Master-level too. This vicious artifact blade from Drakan—could it pierce the barrier?
Pop!
The old man, watching me approach with leisure, flinched as an explosion burst before his eyes inside the barrier, stepping back. I'd maneuvered a clone right in front; he hadn't noticed. Risky from my main body, but clones worked like this. Honed sparring with Jayke. Never thought it'd apply here.
"You dare with parlor tricks!"
He seemed pissed. But in that brief gap, I'd closed in nicely. As I swung, he snorted. Fair enough. Even Howard couldn't breach it—good sword or not. But the sword was secondary. My free hand pulled a Dragon Breath from sub-space. Charged sporadically over the past year, since I had free time.
"Drakaness Roim Eida! Die!"
Please, just die. Flame mode this time. Fired point-blank at his face.
Kwaaa!
Scorching flames erupted from the head. I quickly handed it to my clone and space-jumped back—or I'd roast first. Glanced around; no bystanders caught, luckily. First flame test—second use ever—but its power was insane. Sand inside melted red-hot into lava flows.
"Get him?"
Howard, returning from afar, asked. Setas had recently taught taboo phrases against gods/demigods—like that one.
Vision still obscured, but I saw: beyond heat and steam, the old man stood unscathed.
"Round two. This time for real."
Even at one-tenth true power, a direct Dragon Breath hit? Just singed clothes. But the barrier broke. Unsure if he could recast, but his face grew serious.
Grooo!
Howard roared forward, psyching up. Usually froze foes in terror—pity today was different.
"Not bad for lowly beasts," the old man muttered low. We heard clear as day from afar.
"That was amusing. But now, all of you die."
His death sentence rang out, and dread hit different. Sensing peril, Howard and I space-jumped airborne.
Whoom!
Our spot vanished, gouged like by a giant spoon. Like Emperor Yujin's space magic/authority. Worst possible power.
Run? No chance of winning like this.
As he reared for another strike, something heavy settled on my shoulder.
[Cease this.]
Bastet! I'd trusted she'd come. Nearly teared up.
"Bastet, long time. But we can't end it like this."
He knew her too.
[Not to you. Imotep.]
Bastet's gaze fixed behind him. There, a small child floated midair, eyes blazing murder, gripping a bizarre energy orb aimed at his skull.
"Godslayer!"
Imotep—Bastet's name for him—yelped, retreating hastily.
[Withdraw, Imotep.]
Imotep hesitated, speechless. Pride stung to back off now, probably.
[Fool. Karma isn't piled that way to reach divinity. I've told you for centuries.]
One more word from Bastet, and Imotep prostrated on the ground—still lava-hot?
"Please, enlighten this foolish servant."
[I've taught all. You never acted.]
Imotep rose, disappointed, bowed once more, glared at us—lingering on Setas. Greatest threat? Unfair; Howard and I did the heavy lifting.
"This isn't over."
What a spiteful guy. But he opened a Phase Dimension-like portal and vanished.
Crisis averted. Eltis, recovered and back, declared victory. Non-humans erupted in cheers. Festival reignited.
Tossed human-form Howard fresh clothes. His old ones? Lost to battle chaos. Why strip if unwearable anyway?
Cautiously asked Bastet, still on my shoulder.
"Old acquaintance?"
[Once a priest serving me and several gods.]
Pure human who'd stacked realm to demigod? Impressive. We'd watch him later—but focus on powering up till then.
"Bastet, anything you need?"
She was a goddess, after all. Huge help; I'd oblige requests.
[Tuna. I crave tuna.]
Good goddess. She could summon it anytime. But no refusing her.
Summoned Lily, settled Bastet on her lap, rallied everyone.
"Catch every tuna in the sea. Now."
Howard and Setas gawked, but vital mission.
That night, tuna mountains fueled all-night revelry. We partied.
As all dove in, quietly asked Setas beside me.
"Could we have won without Bastet?"
"No way. Current power? Light injuries at best."
Bastet saved us, confirmed. More tuna offerings ahead.
"We wouldn't have lost if we'd gone all out."
"But not all unscathed?"
"True."
"Then it's fine."
Gazing at the roaring bonfire, the New Continent's night deepened. Wine tasted sweeter tonight.